The Rutles was a 1978 TV movie originally titled "All You Need is Cash." It is a spoof documentary of the Beatles' story. It was made by and stars Eric Idle from Monty Python. He plays the narrator/interviewer of the story, as well as one of the Rutles. Neil Innis also plays a Rutle and I think wrote most of the songs.

Not only is the movie funny as f-k, it is thorough in that it leaves no Beatle legend unspoofed. For instance, the John Lennon character causes a scandal when he declares that the Rutles are "Bigger than God." But it turns out he was misquoted -- he said "bigger than Rod" -- Rod Stewart, who wouldn't be famous for several more years. The songs are parodied perfectly too -- "Get Back" is "Get Up and Go Back Home," etc.

Think Monty Python combined with Saturday Night Live with some Spinal Tap elements. Besides Idle, there are numerous cameos -- Michael Palin, John Belushi, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Dan Ackroyd, Mick Jagger plays himself (commenting on the influence of the Rutles), and George Harrison appears in there somewhere as well.

I loved Belushi's Allen Klein. Genius. And George's cameo was hysterical. I love that film! Wasn't it broadcast on SNL over here originally? That's where I saw it anyway. I loved it when they crossed the Pythons with the original SNL cast. Or Eric Idle anyway. And I think Michael Palin at some point? Nothing was funnier.

I loved Belushi's Allen Klein. Genius. And George's cameo was hysterical. I love that film! Wasn't it broadcast on SNL over here originally? That's where I saw it anyway. I loved it when they crossed the Pythons with the original SNL cast. Or Eric Idle anyway. And I think Michael Palin at some point? Nothing was funnier.

Oh, thank you all very much! I have heard of the Rutles and my impression was it was a kind of a band that made a parody of the Beatles, and that`s it, not worth talking about. I am so impressed and interested, especially by your recommendations to see it, which i will do without delay.

I watch my Rutles dvd slightly more often than my Beatles ones!! The music is just so good, and as George H says, if you want to know about the Beatles, it's all in there! My fave bit is when they ask the 2 experts about the Rutles, oh and the bit where they talk about tea, oh and all of it.I like the way that even people who don't know much about the Beatles can roar with laughter!

i did see the second one & it was just embarrasing to watch. the best stuff was the extra bits they filmed that they didn't show in the first one, but the interviews with people were pretty ridicolous. :-/